‘Fall for Me,’ directed by Sherry Hormann, released on Netflix on 21st August and stars Svenja Jung, Theo Trebs, Tijan Marei, Victor Meutelet, and Thomas Kretschmann.
A thriller on autopilot
‘Fall for Me’ is one of those films that makes you wonder how so many bad choices made it all the way to release. The screenplay is sloppy, the dialogue awkward (the dubbed version), and several performances so weak that it’s hard to take the story seriously. Still, buried somewhere inside this mess is a decent idea—a plot that, in better hands, could have been tense, sensual, and genuinely gripping. Instead, Netflix seems to be running on a formula: cast mostly unknown actors, toss in some sex, add a few thriller moments, and wrap it all in glossy packaging. It’s the kind of bait meant to lure late-night scrollers, but for anyone looking for substance, it’s a letdown. The only thing that truly works are the Spanish landscapes, which feel more alive than the characters themselves. The constant nudity is so heavy-handed that it comes off as filler, as if the makers didn’t trust their own story.
A promising setup, fumbled execution
The plot follows Lilli (Svenja Jung), an auditor, who heads to Spain to spend time with her younger sister Valerie (Tijan Marei). What she doesn’t expect is to discover that Valerie is on the verge of marrying Manu (Victor Meutelet), a man she’s only known for four months, and the pair are already planning to buy a lavish country estate to run a bed-and-breakfast. Things get more complicated when Lilli meets Tom (Theo Trebs), a bartender whose charm quickly lures her into an affair. Their flirtations escalate into a string of torrid encounters, which the film plays up far more than it needs to. But instead of heightening the tension, these sequences drain the story of urgency, pulling it away from the real hook. The plot takes a turn when it is revealed that both sisters inherited a valuable estate from their late mother, making them prime targets for real estate sharks. While Valerie dreams of investing her share, Lilli grows suspicious that something sinister is brewing around them.
Style without substance
Visually, there’s plenty to admire on the surface. The island locations are gorgeous, every party is bathed in golden light, and the camera clearly enjoys lingering on luxury villas and the promise of hedonism. But the film confuses gloss for storytelling. Long stretches play like an extended travel ad—sun, cocktails, beaches—without giving the drama any urgency. Thrillers need pulse, momentum, and the sense that every scene pushes you further into a dangerous maze. ‘Fall for Me’ lingers instead, content to gaze at its own reflection. By the halfway mark, you’re not on the edge of your seat—you’re checking the clock. Worse, the supposed “thriller” moments are edited so flatly that even confrontations fizzle out without leaving an impact.
Sub-par performances
The cast does what it can, though they are let down by the writing. Svenja Jung is easily the best part of the film, grounding Lilli with a sensitivity that makes you wish she had been given sharper material. Theo Trebs as Tom has flashes of menace and charm but too often comes across as a sketch of a character, not a fully drawn one. Tijan Marei, as Valeria, could have brought depth to the sisterly conflict, but the script sidelines her into cliché. The chemistry that should fuel an erotic thriller rarely sparks; instead, scenes of intimacy feel staged, as if the actors themselves aren’t convinced of the heat they’re meant to generate. You keep hoping for one performance to break free of the film’s lifeless script, but that never happens.
Also Read: Bigg Boss OTT winner Elvish Yadav’s attacker arrested in Faridabad
Wasted potential
Ultimately, ‘Fall for Me’ is a case study in wasted potential. This German film had all the ingredients: a sun-soaked setting, a story of sisters pulled into dangerous entanglements, and the chance to explore themes of trust, betrayal, and desire. Instead, it offers a hollow package, beautiful on the outside but empty within. The film isn’t tense enough to qualify as a thriller, nor is it steamy enough to succeed as erotica. What’s left is a middling melodrama that fails to stir emotion of any kind—no thrills, no shock, not even guilty pleasure. It’s the kind of film you forget before the credits stop rolling, and that might be its biggest crime of all.
Rating: 2/5
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
